7/29/2019 Boomer's Legacy: IslandGals.ca Volume 1 Issue 3

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21ISLANDgals.ca

Helping Our Soldiers Help Others

Maureen EykelenboomContinues to keep her sons legacy alive

Maureen Eykelenboom lives in Comox, a town familiar to

Islanders. From an early age, she envisioned a Pollyanna

life for herself. That vision began to unfold as she married, raised three boys, volunteered and

developed a successful career in Volunteer Management.

But the Pollyanna vision vanished August 11, 2006, the day her youngest son Andrew, in Afghanistan

as a medic with the Canadian Armed Forces, was killed by a 17 year old suicide bomber.

Andrew was 23 years old.

In Issue 2 ofIsland Gals, readers were introduced

to Maureen Eykelenboom, a Comox lady who

never dreamed she would today be the head of a

charitable organization whose goal is simple: to

provide the means for our soldiers with boots on

the ground in war-torn countries to provide hopeto civilians who, through no fault of their own,

are in the midst of conict.

Ironic that the death of her beloved youngest son,

Andrew (Boomer), would be the catalyst.

Issue 2 highlighted how one simple knitted cap

a mere ve years ago grew into an organization

that reaches worldwide, providing funds to those

in the most need.

As one example, on June 18, 2011, 94 cyclists met

in Comox for Boomers Ride, the annual two-day

journey to Victoria to raise funds for Boomers

Legacy, the foundation Maureen heads. That

mission was again accomplished in the name of

one young soldier, Andrew Eykelenboom.

Over $53,000 was raised this year, and each rider

arrived in Victoria with a sense of accomplishment

from being part of Maureens vision.

General Walter J. Natynczyk, Chief of Defence

Staff, was on hand in Comox to support the

riders and to present Maureen with the Canadian

Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service, the

highest honour given by the Canadian military to

a civilian.A comparable ride was established recently in

Nova Scotia, where 52 riders participated for the

rst time in a one-day journey to raise funds for

the continued efforts of Boomers Legacy.

Maureens vision of simply connecting the

dots to help our soldiers help others continues

with full force.

Those of us with no ties to the military and their

efforts have no idea of the sacrice these young

men and women make on a

daily basis, but we should.

Maureens son Andrew

dedicated his life to service,

and to providing hope.

Maureen tirelessly continues

to support and carry on

Andrews vision.

Our responsibility is to

support Maureen in helping

our soldiers help others.

www.boomerslegacy.ca